No. 126 - Woman Reading in Front of a Mirror by Jacques-Émile Blanche c.1890

A small framed portrait print on canvas, featuring a reproduction of an antique French oil painting of a woman reading. Perfect for vintage reading nook, romantic interiors, and lovers of classic portrait art.

Woman Reading in Front of a Mirror by Jacques-Émile Blanche c.1890
This painting is interesting because the mirror turns a quiet domestic scene into a study of attention and self-awareness. The figure is absorbed in her book, yet visually doubled. She’s both present and elsewhere, observed and unbothered. It’s a subtle move, but it gives the painting a sharper edge and a more contemporary feel than you’d expect from the period. Blanche returned to this subject because it let him remove performance from the equation. Reading gave his figures a reason not to acknowledge the viewer. That was quietly radical for the time and still feels relevant now. These women are not there to decorate the room. They are already busy.

You can find the companion to this painting here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4397543457

This miniature oil painting reproduction is printed on archival canvas and paired with a handcrafted frame made using a mold from a 19th-century antique. Finished in-studio to capture the texture and patina of a real vintage frame. All the beauty of an heirloom, without having to inherit it. Available in aged gold or classic black, depending on your mood (or your wall).

Sized in our Mini format, this piece fits perfectly on a shelf, gallery wall, or any small space that deserves something with character and a bit of attitude. It arrives in a custom gift box that includes a removable art card from my curated collection of early 20th-century Swiss lithographed trading cards. On the back: a short message tied to the image - something between a fortune and a pep talk from the ghosts of a Swiss art collective. They’re collectible, slightly mysterious, and full of charm. Designs vary and yours will be chosen at random unless you request a specific one. See the last photo for the full collection. Inside the box, you’ll find a picture pin and an artist card with all the painting’s details.

7 x 8.5 inches (frame)
3.625 x 5 inches (canvas)
Archival canvas print with satin varnish
Light yet sturdy at 1 lb 6 oz
Fitted with hardware for hanging

This print is currently shown in our mini frame, but it's also available in the small frame. If you'd prefer the small version, just message me and I’ll make it appear like magic (or at least pretty quickly).

Perfect for:
- people who notice mirrors in paintings and then can’t stop noticing
- pretending you’re deep in thought while ignoring people
- readers who like footnotes, not plot twists
- intimidating anyone who dares to interrupt your book

SHIPPING:

For U.S. Orders - All of my work is handmade in Canada, which apparently makes it invisible to U.S. customs. Tariffs? Duties? Not here. Your order will sail across the border like a ghost through a locked door — no fees, no delay, no paperwork drama. Orders ship via Canada Post/USPS from Ontario with a transit time of 4 - 8 business days.

Canadian orders ship from Ontario via Canada Post with a transit time of 1 - 7 business days.

International orders ship via Canada Post with a transit time of 6 - 12 days.

As all items are made to order, photos shown are just examples.
Making a copy of the frame with the intention to sell it is strictly prohibited.

Crafted with U.S. and Canadian sourced materials to foster a cooperative alliance between neighbors who still build things worth keeping.